Princess Alexandra of Kent

Colonel-in-Chief of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada from 1959 to 2010 was Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, the grand-daughter of Her Majesty Queen Mary.

Born on Christmas Day 1936, she is the second child and only daughter of the late Duke and Duchess of Kent (her brothers are the present Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent). Her father was killed in a wartime flying accident in 1942 when she was five years old.

Married to Sir Angus Ogilvy, who served in the Scots Guards, they had two children, James, born in 1964, and Marina, born in 1966. Sir Angus died on 26 December 2004.

“As this is the last official engagement of my visit to Canada I am delighted that it gives me the opportunity to speak to you, the serving members of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, as you celebrate your 150th anniversary of continuous service.

I am sure that many of you are aware that I succeeded my grandmother, Queen Mary, who was your first Colonel-in-Chief. I am also certain that she regretted that she was unable to come and visit you, as I have done this year and on several previous occasions.

I must express my acute disappointment that I did not reach Vancouver Island and Calgary to meet many veterans due to the chaos caused by the volcano with a challenging name. I am, however, relieved that I have reached Toronto and it is delightful to be back here.

I share your pride that The Queen’s Own Rifles is the oldest continuously serving infantry Regiment in Canada and I have been honoured to be your Colonel-in-Chief for the past 50 years.

I am very familiar with your history of service to Canada and I was not surprised at all to learn that a good number of you have served in Afghanistan. I am told that many of your comrades are now also serving there and I join you in wishing them all a safe return.

Tomorrow it will be your Regiment’s Birthday. Regrettably, I will be on my way home by then, but I cannot leave without wishing you a Very Happy Birthday and all Best Wishes for the future of Canada’s oldest and finest regiment, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.”

One thought on “Princess Alexandra of Kent”

Through-out all the years of her life in the Public Eye, Princess Alexandra has behaved with an exemplary conduct of Dignity, Charm, Graceful Poise, and Geniality. She always was commendably deserving of her `Royal` Status. Both her good self and her Sister-in-law, The Duchess of Kent, have been great assets to the Monarchy of Britain.